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The massive 2010 spill, caused when BP's Deepwater Horizon drilling rig exploded and spewed millions of gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico, showed the risk offshore drilling poses to the region, Leonard said.

“I don't want it, no way, heck no.”

Alex Leonard, manager of Innerlight Surf Shop

"It had a huge impact, not just on our business but on businesses up and down the coast," Leonard said.

President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order calling for expanded offshore oil and gas exploration nationwide.

The order has been met with opposition from both Republicans and Democrats in Florida.

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Florida, has filed legislation to keep in place a moratorium on drilling within 125 miles of Florida's Gulf Coast. U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, and U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a South Florida Democrat, have filed legislation to extend a drilling ban in the eastern Gulf through 2027.

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Individuals seen in the first week following the flood last year (May 2015) with lesions of varying kinds. It is unknown precisely what caused these lesions or how they influenced dolphin health, but many persisted for 6-9 months following the spill. Lesions occurred on both adults and calves. Photo taken under the authority of NMFS Loc No. 19062/Special to the News Journal

Individuals seen in the first week following the flood last year (May 2015) with lesions of varying kinds. It is unknown precisely what caused these lesions or how they influenced dolphin health, but many persisted for 6-9 months following the spill. Lesions occurred on both adults and calves. Photo taken under the authority of NMFS Loc No. 19062/Special to the News Journal

Mother and calf seen a year after the flood (April 30, 2015) with white heads. Both were seen in July, 2014 without any white, so researchers know this is a condition that started sometime after that. Photo taken under the authority of NMFS Loc No. 19062/Special to the News Journal

Calf seen a year after the flood (April 30, 2015) with white heads. Both were seen in July, 2014 without any white, so researchers know this is a condition that started sometime after that. Photo taken under the authority of NMFS Loc No. 19062/Special to the News Journal

Picture of the same calf on May 31, 2015, only one month later. Both mom and calf’s conditions worsened rapidly, with calf looking more severe. By July, 2015, the mom’s condition had improved but the calf was not seen with her. Researchers are not sure if it is still alive. The cause of this condition is still under investigation. Photo taken under the authority of NMFS Loc No. 19062/Special to the News Journal

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In a letter to Defense Secretary James Mattis, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, and U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn, R-Panama City, stated that oil drilling in the northern Gulf could hurt military training in the region.

"Allowing oil and gas leasing activities in the areas under moratoria will create insurmountable risks to civilian and military personnel, military assets and drilling infrastructure," they wrote.

Escambia County Commissioner Grover Robinson represents Pensacola Beach and served on the statewide committee that oversaw spending of some restitution money paid by the British oil giant.

Robinson said the commission has passed multiple resolutions in opposition to drilling off area beaches and planned to consider another anti-drilling resolution Thursday.

Nicole Stacey, a spokeswoman for the organization, said the 2010 spill brought home what can happen when oil companies make mistakes.

"Billions of people visit because of our beaches," she said. "Should there be an incident, this would significantly affect not only our tourism but our local businesses and community."

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